[Norway] Message to The United Kingdom

[Odinson]

KINGDOM OF NORWAY
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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SUBJECT: Professional Cooperation
RECIPIENT: Lawrence Adams MP, Foreign and Commonwealth Minister of The United Kingdom (@Jamie )
SENDER: Anthony Vinter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Kingdom of Norway
SECURITY: ENCRYPTED

Minister Adams,

Good afternoon, I hope that this message meets you well. I hope that our countries soon have an opportunity to exchange diplomats, or perhaps us, so that we can have more detailed talks. However, that would best be done once the Nordic Council has been formally established which the Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish governments are working hard to achieve. This is a more pressing matter, which I would like discuss with you. I've spoken with the Minister of Defense who has talked the following proposal I have over with the Norwegian High Command. We all stand united in this proposal, and we hope that it may be of interest to the United Kingdom.

The Norwegian Royal Navy has a need move vessels throughout the Atlantic. This government considers the United Kingdom to be a friendly country to Norway, and we're sure that the United Kingdom would allow our ships to refuel at your ports in our times of need, however we would like a more formal agreement. After looking over many locations, these are the two we are interested in: HMNB Devonport and Ascension Island.

This is our proposal: the United Kingdom will allow the Norwegian Royal Navy to refuel Royal Navy and Coast Guard ships at these locations; when refueling is needed, these locations would be given written notice in advance. Seeing as no proper major refueling station exists on Ascension Island, the Norwegian government would be willing to pay $30,000,000 to have a dock and refueling station constructed there which would of course be owned and operated by the British Royal Navy. In return, we would be more than happy to allow the British Royal Navy and Coast Guard the same refuelling opportunities at one or two of Norway's ports or navy facilities.
Thank you for your time. Please let me know if this would be of interest to Her Majesty's Government.

Best Regards,

Anthony Vinter
Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

[Odinson]

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

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To:	Anthony Vinter
Cc:
Subject	Re: Professional Cooperation
Security Level:	Private / Encrypted

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Dear Anthony Vinter,

Thank you for contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Unforutnately Mr Adams is unavailable but I will be able to discuss on behalf of the United Kingdom.

Your request has created intrigue within the Ministry of Defence as both HMNB Devonport and Ascension Island are maintained by the MOD. However, this is something we are willing to consider but we would require a draft of the agreement you are proposing, this would allow us to pitch our requirements for such re-supplying given the fact it could, depending on your military activities, put a target on British territories. Please do you have a formal agreement in draft that outlines the requirements from both parties?

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,
LAli
Lewis Ali
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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?mofa@gov.co.uk​

☎️03700 00 22 44​

✉️Ministry of Foreign Affairs, King Charles Street, London, SW1​

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@Odinson

 

[Jamie]

@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

KINGDOM OF NORWAY
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
​

SUBJECT: Professional Cooperation
RECIPIENT: Lewis Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs (@Jamie )
SENDER: Anthony Vinter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Kingdom of Norway
SECURITY: ENCRYPTED By The Norwegian Security Service

Minister Ali,

It is wonderful to hear back from you. I am happy to hear that the Ministry of Defense is interested in our proposal. Attached to this message is a copy of our proposed agreement. Please inform me if this is acceptable. If so, we can arrange to have it signed and put into use.

Best Regards,

Anthony Vinter
Minister of Foreign Affairs


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TREATY OF ASCENSION

Preamble
This treaty stands to foster a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation between the navies of the Kingdom of Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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Article 1
1. The Kingdom of Norway agrees to keep this treaty and its contents secret.
2. The United Kingdom agrees to keep this treaty and its contents secret.

Article 2
1. The United Kingdom will make HMNB Devonport and a refueling station at Ascension Island available for use by vessels of the Norwegian Royal Navy and Coast Guard.
a. When a Norwegian vessel needs to make use of either of these facilities, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense or Royal Navy must formally inform the British Ministry of Defense or Royal Navy.
b. Any Norwegian vessel that is en route to a deployment for armed conflict, intimidation, or other offensive actions may not use these designated facilities unless such plans are formally explained to the British Ministry of Defense or Royal Navy - in such a case, the British may deny refueling of said vessel if they so choose.
c. British vessels will take precedent in refueling and docking at their own ports.

Article 3
1. The Kingdom of Norway will make up to two military ports, located above the Arctic Circle, available for use by vessels of the British Royal Navy.
a. The United Kingdom may make a one-time choice of what these ports will be. The Norwegian government refrains the right to deny any requests to change these designated ports.
b. The British Royal Navy is held to the same burdens and requirements for use of these Norwegian ports as the Norwegian Royal Navy and Coast Guard are held to in Article 2.

Article 4
1. In times of emergency, crisis, disaster, and war either party may suspend this treaty with a formal notice given to the Ministry of Defense of the other country.
2. Neither country shall use these refueling centers to smuggle goods or contraband.
3. The Kingdom of Norway will pay $30,000,000 to construct a refueling station at Ascension Island. The plans for this construction must be approved by the British Ministry of Defense.
a. The refueling station will be entirely owned and operated by the United Kingdom.

Article 5
1. Either party may withdraw from this treaty by submitting formal notice to the Minister of Defense of the other party. This formal notice must be written by the Minister of Defense, or a senior official in the Ministry of Defense, of either party for it to be valid.
a. Once the formal notice is received, both parties will be withdrawn from the treaty and neither shall be held to its conditions any longer.

Signed,
X
Minister of Defense of The Kingdom of Norway

Signed,
X
Minister of Defense of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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[Jamie]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

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To:	Anthony Vinter
Cc:
Subject	Re: Professional Cooperation
Security Level:	Private / Encrypted

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Dear Anthony Vinter,

Thank you for sending the draft for the Treaty of Ascension, we have reviewed it and the prospect is something we are open too. There are a few points we would like to address, however. Please find these below:

• As opposed to Britain having a port in Norway, we feel that this would be unnecessary due to our proximity with yourselves, but also our oversea territories which give is this range.
  • With this in mind, we would like to explore the option that for Britain's side of the treaty, that you give us unprecedented access for British Armed Forces training in Northern Norway.
    • This would involve the ability to deploy air and ground assets, at a capped limit, to participate in cold-weather training. Something that the UK cannot currently offer it's soldiers.
    • The suggestion that we cap a limit on how many troops we can deploy is in your court, and this would be purely for training purposes. Focused on Helicopters and ground vehicles / personnel.
  • This would be in exchange for the ability to refuel in the UK, and Acension Island.
• Due to HMNB Devonport been an active naval base, we would not be able to allow that as a refueling platform but would be able to permit you to refuel at the Portsmouth International Port.
  • This would be subject to civilian maritime processes and procedures.

We would be interested to hear your thoughts on the above points.

I await your reply.

Kind Regards,
LAli
Lewis Ali
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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?mofa@gov.co.uk​

☎️03700 00 22 44​

✉️Ministry of Foreign Affairs, King Charles Street, London, SW1​

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@Odinson

 

[Odinson]

KINGDOM OF NORWAY
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
​

SUBJECT: Professional Cooperation
RECIPIENT: Lewis Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs (@Jamie )
SENDER: Anthony Vinter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Kingdom of Norway
SECURITY: ENCRYPTED By The Norwegian Security Service

Minister Ali,

I have amended the Treaty of Ascension to reflect some of the points you have made. Please let me know if this is acceptable. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best Regards,

Anthony Vinter
Minister of Foreign Affairs


:::::::::

TREATY OF ASCENSION

Preamble
This treaty stands to foster a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation between the navies of the Kingdom of Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
​

Article 1
1. The Kingdom of Norway agrees to keep this treaty and its contents secret, but may acknowledge that a training facility is on Stjernøya Island.
2. The United Kingdom agrees to keep this treaty and its contents secret.

Article 2
1. The United Kingdom will make Portsmouth International Port and a refueling station at Ascension Island available for use by vessels of the Norwegian Royal Navy and Coast Guard.
a. When a Norwegian vessel needs to make use of either of these facilities, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense or Royal Navy must formally inform the British Ministry of Defense or Royal Navy.
b. Any Norwegian vessel that is en route to a deployment for armed conflict, intimidation, or other offensive actions may not use Portsmouth unless such plans are formally explained to the British Ministry of Defense or Royal Navy - in such a case, the British may deny refueling of said vessel if they so choose.
c. British vessels will take precedent in refueling and docking at their own ports.

Article 3
1. The Kingdom of Norway will make Stjernøya Island available for the United Kingdom to use for the purpose of Arctic training.
a. The United Kingdom is restricted to sending a maximum of 750 British personnel (including soldiers and non-military personnel) to Stjernøya at any one time unless special permission is granted by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.
b. To deploy these soldiers to Stjernøya, the British may construct a small non-paved or asphalt landing strip on the island in order to be able to land C-130s. All of these personnel will be granted an "Other" VISA through the Nordic Council's VISA scheme.
c. The British personnel will remain on Stjernøya Island and will not enter any other part of Norway without permission from the Ministry of Defense - or in the case of an exceptional emergency.
d. The British personnel can construct their own temporary barracks and housing on the island, or they can request that the Norwegian Ministry of Defense construct permanent barracks and facilities for them to use on the island. The cost of these facilities will be paid for by the British government.
e. The British personnel will keep track of all the trees which they cut down, and will agree to replant that same number in the next spring (of the appropriate species).
f. The British personnel will not interfere with any private residencies or settlements or citizens on the island as part of their training.
g. No British personnel who are employed or contracted by MI6 may visit Stjernøya Island.
h. If the British personnel are in need of assistance, Norwegian Military Police have law enforcement powers on the island.
I. British personnel shall abide by Norwegian law when on Stjernøya Island.

Article 4
1. In times of emergency, crisis, disaster, and war either party may suspend this treaty with a formal notice given to the Ministry of Defense of the other country.
2. Neither country shall use these refueling centers to smuggle goods or contraband.
3. The Kingdom of Norway will pay $30,000,000 to construct a refueling station at Ascension Island. The plans for this construction must be approved by the British Ministry of Defense.
a. The refueling station will be entirely owned and operated by the United Kingdom.

Article 5
1. Either party may withdraw from this treaty by submitting formal notice to the Minister of Defense of the other party. This formal notice must be written by the Minister of Defense, or a senior official in the Ministry of Defense, of either party for it to be valid.
a. Once the formal notice is received, both parties will be withdrawn from the treaty and neither shall be held to its conditions any longer.

Signed,
X
Minister of Defense of The Kingdom of Norway

Signed,
X
Minister of Defense of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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[Jamie]

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

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To:	Anthony Vinter
Cc:
Subject	Re: Professional Cooperation
Security Level:	Private / Encrypted

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Dear Anthony Vinter,

Thank you for the updated Treaty. I have reviewed this and it's certainly something we are happy with. There is one concern and that is our logistics for getting to Stjernøya Island. After a bit of research, I haven't been able to get the information I was looking for so you may be able to assist. Our ideal method of travel would be via air, which means we can construct a tempoary airstrip for these deployments but the real question is whether you are able to identify a specific part of the island that would be suitable for this? From what we can see, its challenging terrain would make an airstrip non-viable. Please could you make your suggestions on where we would be able to make an airstrip in the island?

Kind Regards,
LAli
Lewis Ali
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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?mofa@gov.co.uk​

☎️03700 00 22 44​

✉️Ministry of Foreign Affairs, King Charles Street, London, SW1​

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@Odinson